Realm in Between

I'm thirsty.

My heart is in pain.

New etched scars.

I am tired.

Mizuki.

Mizuki.

I miss Mizuki.

These words had been wandering in his mind a billion times for 6 whole years since he left. Mizuki. Jiro misses Mizuki. He misses her smiles, giggles, moodiness, fragrant scent, and sparkling eyes.

After he left, he went back to his origin and consulted the Empress and Emperor. He wanted to be transformed into a human—a mortal and lowly being. His parents did not agree with him, he's next for the crown after all. The worth of a mere female human being is not enough in exchange for their crowned prince. It was difficult. He only managed to make them agree by not absorbing the essence needed to be healthy and have consistent power. Jiro became weak yet dangerous. He was like an ice sculpture, without the slightest trace of emotion, but exuded such tremendous pressure that everyone close to him would always feel their legs shake, and their sweat would fall like rain.

After half a decade, the Empress and Emperor pitied their dear son and told him of a Goddess who lives between the realms of mortal and immortal, humans and nonhuman beings. She was powerful, someone that no one would dare to offend yet not as powerful as the fox's clan.

"If she hears the wish of your heart, she shall allow you to find her. But if not, even traveling for a thousand years, you won't see her," the Empress recited.

It's already been a year since Jiro started his journey to find the Goddess which was named Maria, walking continuously for days and nights without rest. Some said she can be found at the west, some said at east, some even said under the earth. Though doubtful, he went and tried all of the places he had heard but found none.

Jiro halted when he walked through a mist. He was currently in a forest. With dense forestry and layers of evening mist, his vision had been greatly limited.

"Hahahaha! I have a visitor! I wonder who it is," an ear-piercing voice suddenly emerged from all sides of the forest.

"Say, say, who are you looking for handsome? Who is it? Is it me? Is it me? Hahaha!" It was female voice sneering.

"Goddess Maria," Jiro shortly replied. His voice was cold yet burning with hope.

"Hm, I'm Maria. I am Maria! Little fox, do you wanna play with me? Yes, little fox?"

Jiro felt a hand on his shoulder but it immediately disappears synchronously with a screaming voice.

"Ah! Hot! Cold! What is this power, you little fox? You dare hurt a goddess?"

A white floating female figure emerged in front of Jiro, he can see through it like a ghost with transparent color. It has long curly hair and wears a large white robe that covers her body—every part of her body. She's such a beauty. Her age appears to be the same as Jiro's. Still young yet insane. Her eyes were plain white but sent shivers and a small dose of fear to Jiro. It was surely the Goddess named Maria.

"My, my, if it wasn't the crowned prince of fox's clan. Should I bow to you? Hahaha! Why would I? Aren't I a goddess?" She laughed again.

The rumors about her were true. She a mad goddess with endless pride and was sent to the realms in between of all beings to set distinction and prevent her from creating problems and bringing destructions.

"I want to become human."

Maria the Goddess stopped laughing and flew, more like floated, closer to Jiro until their noses almost touched.

"Transform into a human? A lowly being. Disgusting! Ah, I hate humans! Hypocrite beings! Full of pride! They destroy nature. Don't they?"

Just thinking about humans infuriates her. She crossed her arms and stood on air straight. Jiro appeared to be impatient. A green fire clothed his whole body. She gazed at Jiro and scrutinized him. Suddenly, a terrifying smile flashed on her face.

"Master, you don't have to threaten me. You know I don't fulfill wishes without sacrifices right? Some of them actually turned out to be failures when my needs weren't met."

Maria the Goddess intertwined her fingers as she rested her head on it while still floating. She's like a child who's giving excuses to her parents just to allow her to eat candies.

"Name it," Jiro replied impatiently.

"Your tails. Your essence. Powers. All of it. I want it all.'

"Deal."

The Goddess was stupefied. It took her several seconds to digest Jiro's words. It was extremely unbelievable. After recovering from the shock, she grinned.

"Are you sure?"

Jiro nodded. His decision was firm. Nothing else matters to him. Mizuki. That's all he needs.

"Sure, sure! But I'd be kind this time. Kind of cruel! Hahaha! Mizuki, who is this Mizuki?"

Jiro widened his eyes. Green fire with a touch of red immediately appeared on both of his hands. His fangs turned sharper as his eyes became thin lines.

"Master, don't be mad!" Maria the Goddess hurriedly hid behind a tree and peek her head to explain.

"I saw her in your eyes. Is she the reason? Hahaha! You fell in love with a human. Mistake," she floated again towards Jiro when the latter calmed down.

"I will turn you into a human in exchange for your powers and tails. But since you are the crowned prince of all beings, you should live eternally. After that human dies, I will transform you back into an immortal. I shall return all. But your heart, I wouldn't be able to fix that. So far, no one had fixed a shattered heart."

'After that human dies, I will transform you back into an immortal.'

Cruel. Indeed cruel. Jiro slowly nodded and gulped.

In a heartbeat, he found himself all bloodied up in a clump of grass, in a human form, the immense pain of the lightning strikes still echoing through his body. So damaged was he from this experience, he laid helplessly in the dirt, unable to even move his limbs at all. His ears and tails had removed mercilessly, one by one. All of his essences had been absorbed from him. He's so weak he could be knocked out by a toddler. Starting from now, he's a mere human, a lowly being yet capable of loving Mizuki. Jiro smiled with satisfaction.

"Your existence is a pity," says the goddess before he passed out.